Dispenser Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dispenser apparatus for storing and dispensing articles is provided. The dispenser apparatus comprises a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is spaced from the second frame member. At least one telescoping cross support having a first end and the second end is releasably secured between the spaced first frame member and second frame member. The at least one telescoping cross support is capable of storing and dispensing the articles.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/272,564 filed Dec. 29,2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “The Golden Dispenser,”which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were setforth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of organizational items, andmore specifically to the field of storage and dispensing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In virtually every residential and business establishment, there aredrawers or cabinets for storing a variety of materials on spools orrolls, materials such as thread, string, ribbon, tape, and wire. When aperson needs a length of thread, string or wire from a spool or roll,they take a free end and pull it. Unless that roll or spool is somehowanchored or someone else is holding it, the length tends to come alongas one pulls and generally winds up on the floor and often unspools allon its own, creating a tangled mess. In the same drawers or cabinets areother loose and unorganized stuff like rubber bands and twist ties thathave useful functions but no obvious place to go.

The prior art has put forth several designs for storage and dispensingdevices. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 8,413,824 to Albert Louis Cabassa describes a folding wirecaddy having a horizontal base member and a leg support member pivotallyattached with a vertical axis at a point along the horizontal basemember near a first end. The leg member is foldable to be parallel andadjacent to the base member or a right angle to the base member. Asecond leg support member is pivotally attached with a vertical axis ata point along the horizontal base member near an end of the base memberopposite the first end of the base member. The second leg member isfoldable to be parallel and adjacent to the base member or at a rightangle to the base member. One or more spindle members are pivotallyattached near one end of each spindle member with horizontal axes atpoints along the first length of the base member. Each spindle member isfoldable to be parallel and adjacent to the base member or at a rightangle to the base member, extending vertically.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,557 to Virgil L. Sewell and Martha A. Sewelldescribes a device permitting yarn or the like to be pulled from a skeinby the performance of a handcraft such as knitting. A spindle passesthrough a skein, and a support structure holds the spindle in a verticalposition. The support structure includes a base, an upright attached tothe base, and a spindle support at the top of the upright. The base andspindle support have means rotatably attaching them to the upright toallow folding up the device for storage and portability. Means areprovided to fix the position of the upright with respect to the base forwhen the device is in use. The ends of the spindle fit into recesses inthe base and spindle support. The means for attaching the spindlesupport to the upright allows the spindle support to rotate upward sothe spindle can be inserted in and removed from the recesses. Thespindle has a spacer attached near its lower end to hold the yarn awayfrom the base. In a preferred embodiment, the recesses into which theyarn spindle fits are provided with bearing surfaces to reducerotational friction.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,167 to William W. Knox describes a ribbon dispensercomprising a container having cylindrical sidewalls within which acontinuous strand of flat ribbon material is coiled from its outermostperiphery inwardly having convolutions of decreasing diameter formed bythe running end of the ribbon material. The coil of ribbon is formedwith a hollow core of sufficient diameter to permit initial limiteduncoiling from the coil interior. Guide means are provided on thecontainer to define a substantially slot shaped aperture for guiding andstraightening the free end of the ribbon as it is withdrawn from thecontainer whereby the uncoiled ribbon is stress relieved of its tendencyto recoil. The container extends for a substantial vertical height and aplurality of circular partitions are provided dividing it into equalcompartments. The guide means being formed in each partition is ofidentical size and configuration so that each slot shaped aperture isaligned and the free end of the ribbon material in each compartment isfed upwardly through each successive guide means. An articulateddispenser is provided comprising a plurality of containers havingcylindrical side and flat top and bottom walls. The cylindricalsidewalls have connecting portions forming a nesting joint to enable twoor more containers to be coupled together in vertical array.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fully adjustablecountertop or mounted storage rack and dispenser comprising telescopingdowels for storing and dispensing such articles as spooled threads andribbons, skein yarns, and rolls of string, cord, tape, fabric bordersand elastics, and wire.

The present invention is a dispenser apparatus for storing anddispensing articles. The dispenser apparatus comprises a first framemember and a second frame member. The first frame member is spaced fromthe second frame member. At least one telescoping cross support having afirst end and the second end is releasably secured between the spacedfirst frame member and second frame member. The at least one telescopingcross support is capable of storing and dispensing the articles.

In addition, the present invention includes a method apparatus forstoring and dispensing articles. The method comprises providing a firstframe member, providing a second frame member, spacing the first framemember from the second frame member, providing at least one telescopingcross support having a first end and the second end, releasably securingthe at least one telescoping cross support between the spaced firstframe member and second frame member, and storing the articles on anddispensing the articles from the at least one telescoping cross support.

The present invention further includes a dispenser apparatus for storingand dispensing articles. The dispenser apparatus comprises a first framemember having a first vertical support perpendicularly mounted to afirst horizontal support and a second frame member having a secondvertical support perpendicularly mounted to a second horizontal support.The first frame member is spaced from the second frame member. At leastone telescoping cross support having a first end and the second end isprovided. A series of corresponding eye hooks or open hooks arethreadably mounted in and spaced along the first vertical support of thefirst frame member and the second vertical support of the second framemember. Upon releasably securing the at least one telescoping crosssupport between the spaced first frame member and second frame memberand within corresponding eye hooks or open hooks, the at least onetelescoping cross support is capable of storing and dispensing thearticles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left perspective view illustrating a dispenser apparatus,constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing aninverted T-style frame with cross supports inserted between first andsecond side vertical supports.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating the dispenser apparatusof FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention showingthe inverted T-style frame with the cross supports inserted between thefirst and second side vertical supports.

FIG. 3 is a right perspective view illustrating the dispenser apparatusof FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showingthe inverted T-style frame with the cross supports inserted between thefirst and second side vertical supports.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Dispenser Apparatus,indicated generally at 10, is a fully adjustable countertop or mountedstorage rack and dispenser comprising telescoping cross supports 12mounted on a frame 14 for storing such articles as spooled threads andribbons, skein yarns, and rolls of string, cord, tape, fabric bordersand elastics, and wire. The Dispenser Apparatus 10 also functions as ahandy holder for loose items like rubber bands and twist ties, basicallyanything that can hang on it. The Dispenser Apparatus 10 is configuredto be a stable dispensing reel as well as a handy holder for a varietyof items.

The Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the present invention includes the frame14 having a first frame member 16 and a second frame member 18. In afirst embodiment, the first frame member 18 and the second frame member16 are cuboid blocks. A bottom surface of each of the first frame member16 and the second frame member 18 can include nonslip, non-marringrubberized bottoms for better stabilization of the Dispenser Apparatus10.

In a second embodiment of the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the presentinvention, the first frame member 16 is substantially T-shaped includinga first vertical support 20 having a first end and a second end and afirst horizontal support 22 having a first end and a second end. Thefirst end of the first vertical support 20 is connected to the firsthorizontal support 22, preferably centered between the first end and thesecond end of the first horizontal support 22. The second frame member18 is substantially T-shaped including a second vertical support 24having a first end and a second end and a second horizontal support 26having a first end and a second end. The first end of the secondvertical support 24 is connected to the second horizontal support 26,preferably centered between the first end and the second end of thesecond horizontal support 26. Both the first horizontal support 22 andthe second horizontal support 26 can include nonslip, non-marring,rubberized bottoms for better stabilization of the Dispenser Apparatus10.

Preferably, the first frame member 16 and the second frame member 18each measure approximately eight (8″) to ten (10″) inches in height. Itshould be noted that while a particular dimension of the first framemember 16 and the second member 18 has been described herein, it iswithin the scope of the present invention for the first frame member 16and the second frame member 18 to have a greater or lesser height.

In addition, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the present inventionincludes at least one telescoping cross support 12 releasably securedbetween the first frame member 16 and the second frame member 18. In apreferred embodiment, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 includes a plurality oftelescoping cross supports 12 (i.e., two, three, or more) with eachcross support 12 adjustable in width from approximately four (4″) inchesto twelve (12″) inches. Each cross support 12 has a first end and asecond end.

Furthermore, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the present inventionincludes mounting mechanisms for mounting the cross supports between thefirst frame member 16 and the second frame member 18. In an embodiment,the mounting mechanism is a series of corresponding predrilled or moldedapertures spaced along and formed in each of the first frame member 16and the second frame member 18. The first end of the cross supports 12are releasably positioned in the apertures formed in the first framemember 16 and the second end of the cross supports 12 are releasablypositioned in the apertures formed in the second frame member 18. Thecross supports 12 are preferably maintained in their releasably secureposition by friction or other mechanical means.

In another embodiment of the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the presentinvention, the mounting mechanism is a series of corresponding eye hooks28 or open hooks threadably mounted in and spaced along the first framemember 16 and the second frame member 18. In particular, in oneembodiment, the hooks 28 are threadably mounted in and spaced along thefirst vertical support 20 of the first frame member 16 and the secondvertical support 22 of the second frame member 16. The first end of thecross supports 12 are slidably positioned in the hooks 28 mounted to thefirst frame member 16 and the second end of the cross supports 12 areslidably positioned in the hooks 28 mounted to the second frame member18. The cross supports 12 preferably rest within or upon the hooks 28 tomaintain the position of the cross supports 12 relative to the firstframe member 16 and the second frame member 18.

In an alternative embodiment, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the presentinvention can include at least one hanging hook secured to the bottom ofthe first frame member 16 and the second frame member 18 allowing theDispenser Apparatus 10 to hang from a ladder. The hanging hooks areuseful for people working on ladders, such as electricians, for example.

The Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the present invention is preferablyconstructed from a wood material or molded thermoplastic material. Inaddition, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 is produced in a variety of colorsto suit a user's taste.

Compact, versatile, and handy, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the presentinvention is used to dispense almost anything that pulls off a spool orroll, from thread and string to tape, wire, yarn and ribbon. TheDispenser Apparatus 10 has a multiplicity of uses. Crafters such asknitters, sewers, needle pointers and embroiderers find the DispenserApparatus 10 highly effective in controlling a dispensing of yarns andthreads, Crafters involved in scrapbooking, or in activities as diverseas making curtains and wrapping presents, find the Dispenser Apparatus10 highly effective as a means of dispensing spooled ribbons, tapes, andtrim or border materials. Frame makers and artists use the presentinvention for spools of hanger wire and fishermen use the presentinvention to hold spools of fishing line for loading reels and making uprigs.

Householders can use the Dispenser Apparatus 10 of the present inventionto hold rubber bands, twist ties, rolls of tape, and tape dispensers.With telescoping cross supports, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 is wideenough to hold and dispense a skein of yarn and narrow enough to hold aspool of thread, a ball of string or several spools of ribbon. Durablyconstructed of high quality materials, the Dispenser Apparatus 10 willwithstand many years of continued use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and variousmodifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skillin the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings and the appended claims.

1. A dispenser apparatus for storing and dispensing articles, thedispenser apparatus comprising: a first frame member; a second framemember, the first frame member spaced from the second frame member; andat least one telescoping cross support having a first end and the secondend, the at least one telescoping cross support releasably securedbetween the spaced first frame member and second frame member; whereinthe at least one telescoping cross support is capable of storing anddispensing the articles.
 2. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe articles are selected from the group consisting of spooled threadsand ribbons, skein yarns, and rolls of string, cord, tape, fabricborders and elastics, and wire.
 3. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are cuboidblocks.
 4. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first framemember includes a first vertical support having a first end and a secondend and a first horizontal support having a first end and a second end,the first end of the first vertical support connected to the firsthorizontal support, wherein the second frame ember includes a secondvertical support having a first end and a second end and a secondhorizontal support having a first end and a second end, the first end ofthe second vertical support connected to the second horizontal support.5. The dispenser apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first vertical supportis substantially centered between the first end and the second end ofthe first horizontal support and the second vertical support issubstantially centered between the first end and the second end of thesecond horizontal support.
 6. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 whereina bottom surface of each of the first frame member and the second framemember has nonslip, non-marring, rubberized bottoms.
 7. The dispenserapparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: a plurality of telescopingcross supports.
 8. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 and furthercomprising: corresponding mounting mechanisms spaced along the firstframe member and the second frame member, wherein the first end of theat least one cross member is receivable within one of the mountingmechanisms in the first frame member; and wherein the second end of theat least one cross member is receivable within a corresponding mountingmechanism in the second frame member.
 9. The dispenser apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein the mounting mechanisms are a series of correspondingpredrilled or molded aperture spaced along and formed in each of thefirst frame member and the second frame member.
 10. The dispenserapparatus of claim 8 wherein mounting mechanisms are a series ofcorresponding eye hooks or open hooks threadably mounted in and spacedalong the first frame member and the second frame member.
 11. Thedispenser apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: at least onehanging hook secured to a bottom surface of the first frame member andthe second frame member.
 12. A method apparatus for storing anddispensing articles, the method comprising: providing a first framemember; providing a second frame member; spacing the first frame memberfrom the second frame member; providing at least one telescoping crosssupport having a first end and the second end; releasably securing theat least one telescoping cross support between the spaced first framemember and second frame member; and storing the articles on anddispensing the articles from the at least one telescoping cross support.13. A dispenser apparatus for storing and dispensing articles, thedispenser apparatus comprising: a first frame member having a firstvertical support perpendicularly mounted to a first horizontal support;a second frame member having a second vertical support perpendicularlymounted to a second horizontal support, the first frame member spacedfrom the second frame member; at least one telescoping cross supporthaving a first end and the second end; and a series of corresponding eyehooks or open hooks threadably mounted in and spaced along the firstvertical support of the first frame member and the second verticalsupport of the second frame member; wherein upon releasably securing theat least one telescoping cross support between the spaced first framemember and second frame member and within corresponding eye hooks oropen hooks, the at least one telescoping cross support is capable ofstoring and dispensing the articles.
 14. The dispenser apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein the articles are selected from the group consisting ofspooled threads and ribbons, skein yarns, and rolls of string, cord,tape, fabric borders and elastics, and wire.
 15. The dispenser apparatusof claim 13 wherein the first vertical support is substantially centeredin the first horizontal support and the second vertical support issubstantially centered in the second horizontal support.
 16. Thedispenser apparatus of claim 13 wherein a bottom surface of each of thefirst horizontal support of the first frame member and the secondhorizontal support of the second frame member has a nonslip,non-marring, rubberized bottom.
 17. The dispenser apparatus of claim 13and further comprising: a plurality of telescoping cross supports. 18.The dispenser apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising: at least onehanging hook secured to a bottom surface of the first frame member andthe second frame member.